Door lock insert

ABSTRACT

A door lock insert is herein provided for dead latching the bolt portion of a conventional entry door lock into engagement with a receiving recess presented by a door frame, in response to locking the lock. The insert may comprise a body presenting a dogging member extending generally perpendicular to and spaced radially from a locking shaft portion of the entry door lock which shaft generally extends between two door knobs journaled for rotation on the overall lock. The body may include an encasing member for housing a shaft-engaging assembly. The assembly, in turn, presents an arrangement for keying the overall insert to the locking shaft. In operation, upon locking the overall entry door lock arrangement, the dogging member is rotated into a position adjacent a rear position of the bolt so that the bolt is dead latched into the retaining recess presented by the door frame and may not be retracted by forcefully inserting a celluloid card or the like between the bolt and an associated strike-plate. Furthermore, since the bolt is not depressable when the dogging member is in position, the door must be locked from the outside with a key. This would, then, insure that the operator have the key for reintry.

United States Patent [191 Getz, Jr.

[ 1 DOOR LOCK INSERT [76] Inventor: John G etz, Jr., 332 Robbins Avenue, Trenton, NJ. 08638 [22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 188,131

[52] U.S. Cl. ..292/169.17, 70/150, 70/216 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05c 1/16, E05b 13/10 [58] Field of Search ..70/146, 150, 216;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,447,852 3/1923 I-liittemann ..70/147 1,566,575 12/1925 Best ..70/150 1,696,998 1/1929 Brauning ..70/150 Primary ExaminerA1bert G. Craig, Jr. Att0rneyAlbert Sperry et al.

451 Apr. 10, 1973 [5 7 ABSTRACT A door lock insert is herein provided for dead latching the bolt portion of a conventional entry door lock into engagement with a receiving recess presented by a door frame, in response to locking the lock. The insert may comprise a body presenting a dogging member extending generally perpendicular to and spaced radially from a locking shaft portion of the entry door lock which shaft generally extends between two door knobs joumaled for rotation on the overall lock. The body may include an encasing member for housing a shaftengaging assembly. The assembly, in turn, presents an v arrangement for keying the overall insert to the locking shaft. In operation, upon locking the overall entry door lock arrangement, the dogging member is rotated into a position adjacent a rear position of the bolt so that the bolt is dead latched into the retaining recess presented by the door frame and may not be retracted by forcefully inserting a celluloid card or the like between the bolt and an associated strike-plate.

Furthermore, since the bolt is not depressable when the dogging member is in position, the door must be locked from the outside with a key. This would, then, insure that the operator have the key for reintry.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED AFR] 01975 4 sum 1 OF 3 INVENTOR JO/W 657-2, J2.

ATTOR NE( 5 PATENTED APR 1 01973 SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR Joy/v GETLJZ.

ATTORNEYS PATENTED 3,726,554

SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR Jaw 6572, Jz.

BY SM 8 ATTORNEYS DOOR LOCK INSERT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An assembly is herein provided for dead latching the bolt member of an entry door lock into a corresponding recess presented within a door frame. More particularly, a removable insert member is herein provided which may be incorporated into many existing entry door locks to block the return movement of the bolt, after the lock has been locked, so that an authorized person may not retract the bolt by means of celluloid card, or the like.

It is well known that there are many instances of locked doors being opened by third parties not having a key. These parties gain unauthorized access to the homes, business places, etc of others by inserting a flat thin piece of metal, celluloid, cardboard, or other material, between the marginal edge of the door and the door frame in such a manner as to move the bolt into a retracted, unlatched position.

Commonly, entry door locks are provided in new homes which locks generally consist of an outside and an inside door knob connected by coaxial shafts extending therebetween. When the lock is locked by turning a key on the outside or by turning a finger grip locking member from the inside, the locking mechanism is operable to anchor the knobs against rotation. In this condition, the knobs are inoperable to retract the bolt back from the latched position within the corresponding recess formed in the door frame. Nevertheless, the bolt may be retracted if an axial force is applied thereto in a direction away from the recess and toward the locking mechanism.

The purpose for providing such an arrangement, is to permit one to lock the door while it is opened and then to slam the door locked once the party is on the outside of the house. Although such an arrangement does provide this advantage, there is the attending disadvantage that a burglar, or the like, may open the door merely inserting a tool between the strike plate and the lock so as to retract the bolt member. Also, it is possible to lock yourself out.

One of the most popular locking mechanisms of this type is one manufactured and sold by KWIKSET Corporation of Anaheim, Calif. The mechanism provided by this company has been widely accepted an is well established as an entirely satisfactory entry door lock. Nevertheless, since the bolt of these locks retracts from the engaging recess without actuation by a key, some home owners, who already have such locks installed in their doors, have expressed a need to incorporate a dead latching feature into the existing locking mechanism.

It would therefore be advantageous if an uncomplicated attachment could be provided as an insert which may be incorporated within existing entry door locks, of the type above discussed, in order to dead latch a bolt into recess, if a home owner options to have such a feature.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an insert which may be incorporated within many existing entry door locks to solve some of the problems confronting home and business owners at the present time, e.g., to prevent one from locking oneself out.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a door lock insert which may be incorporated as an attachment in many existing entry door locks which attachment is inexpensive.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an insert which may be provided as an attachment to existing entry door locks which insert may be easily installed.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an insert which may be universally incorporated within a large number of existing door locks.

It is further object of the present invention to provide an insert as an attachment to existing door locks which insert is relatively foolproof in preventing a burgular, or the like, from moving a volt from a latched to an unlatched position by inserting a flat tool between the marginal edge of the door and an associated strike plate.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an insert for door locks which requires an minimum of internal space when properly incorporated within an existing door lock.

It is still a further object at the present invention to provide an insert as an attachment for existing door locks which insert is of a relatively uncomplicated construction.

At least some of the above listed objects are achieved by the provision of an insert having a body member formed with an axially extending aperture for removably receiving a locking shaft extending through an existing door lock mechanism. The body member may present a dogging member extending generally perpendicular to and spaced radially from the locking shaft. The dogging member may be so arranged on thebody member and the shaft may be so operable, upon the rotation thereof, to move the dogging member into a position behind a rear portion of the bolt when the locking shaft is rotated to lock the associated knobs against rotation. Through such an arrangement the bolt is dead latched against axial movement in a direction away from a retaining recess presented by an associated strike plate on a frame.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in a concluding portion of the specification, the preferred embodiment is set forth in the following detailed discription which may be best understood when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention in nondogging position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present inventiOn in a dogging position;

FIG. 3 is a modified, exploded, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention which view demonstrates the relationship of the invention with respect to an existing door lock arrangement;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, vertical sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the preferred embodi- I ment of the present invention as arranged in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevation right side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown and arranged in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shown is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown and arranged in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DISCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various .views thereof, FIG. 1 schematically shows the overallinsert 10- of the present invention in a non-dogging position with respect to a bolt mechanism 12 of an existing entry door lock. The bolt 12 projects outwardly from a conventional plate 14 which may be mounted flush on a marginal edge of a door (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows, schematically, the arrangement of FIG. I, wherein the dogging member 16 is positioned adjacent a rear portion 18 of the bolt mechanism 12. It can be seen, that when the dogging member 16 is so positioned, the latching portion 20 of the bolt assembly 12 may not be pushed into a retracted position by pushing axially against the portion 20 toward the plate 14. Basically, this is the principal upon which the present invention operates.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the insert 10 of the present invention includes three basic components a base member 22, an intermediate member 24, and an encasing member 26.

It can be seen that the intermediate member 24 is generally cylindrical in configuration and presents two radially extending lugs 28 and 30. The base member 22 may be formed with two axially exeending recesses 32 and 34 which correspond to the exterior configuration of the last mentioned lugs 28 and 30 respectively. Due to this arrangement, the intermediate member 24, which is of a lesser thickness than the base member 22, may slide axially within the base member 22 but is keyed for fixed rotation with respect to the base member 22. Additionally, the widths of lug 28 and recess 32 may be of different magnatude than those of lug 30 and recess 34. This feature is meant to insure a proper alignment of parts during the assembly in the insert.

Helical spring members 36 and 38 may be interposed between the base member 22 and the intermediate member 24 to spring bias the two parts 22 and 24 axially, mutually apart.

Referring to the overall locking mechanism displayed as the remaining portion of FIG. 3, an existing entry door lock arrangement is shown in exploded perspective view.

The salient features of the locking mechanism, (which may be of the type manufactured by KWIKSET COMPANY of Anaheim, Calif. include a latching bolt arrangement 12 having a retractor plate 40 connected internally of the bolt mechanism 12 to a rear projection 18 extending axially rearwardly from the bolt.

Typically, door knobs 42 and 44 are journaled for rotation about the main body 46 of the lock. A bolt actuating shaft 48 and an internal, coaxial locking shaft 50 operatively extend between the two knobs 42 and 44. The retracting plate 40 of the bolt 12 mechanism is formed with an aperture 52 for receiving the coaxial shafts 48 and 50.

The bolt actuating shaft 48 may be of a semi cylindrical configuration and may be so positioned with respect to the aperture 52 of the retracting plate 40 that the axially extending marginal edges 54 and 56 thereof may operatively engage shoulders 58 and 60, respectively, defining a portion of the aperture 52.

The bolt actuating shaft 48 may be ridgidly secured to a radially extending plate 62 which, in turn, is rotatable in response to movement of the exterior door knob 42. An anchoring member 64 may be mounted on the plate 62 and is operable to move radially outwardly to engage a mounting post member 66 upon rotation of the locking shaft 50. The shaft 50 is in turn, operated by a key mechanism (not shown) incorporated in the knob 42 or by rotation of the finger grip locking disc 68 incorporated within the inside door knob 44. It will be noted that a shaft 70, having a polygonal cross section, extends outwardly from the locking disc 68 to engage within a correspondingly shaped aperture 72 formed within the locking shaft 50. Through this arrangement, the locking shaft 50 may be rotated by either a key within the external door knob mechanism 42 or by the locking disc 68 within the internal door knob 44.

Typically, existing locking shafts 50 may be provided with a radially extending lug which is positioned generally adjacent the plate 62 to limit the rotation of a key operating within a locking mechanism (not shown) mounted in the external knob 42.

It will be noted, that the base member 22 of the insert 10, according to the present invention, is provided with an axially extending aperture 76 having a detent-like portion 78 defined therein. It is this detent portion 78, which is engagable over the radially extending lug 74, that operates to radially positioned the dogging portion 16, of the overall insert 10, into a position immediately behind the rearward extension 18 of the bolt mechanism 12 to dead latch the bolt in an extended condition.

Furthermore, the intermediate portion 24, of the overall insert 10 according to the present invention, may be formed with shoulders 80 and 82, which correspond in operation to the shoulders 58 and 60 partially defining the aperture 52 of the retracting plate 40. Due to this arrangement, after the locking mechanism has been unlocked, the overall insert is free to rotate with the shafts 48 and 50. Furthermore, due to a lost motion arrangement between the base member 22 and the encasing member 26, the dogging portion 16 is brought toward the bolt mechanism 12 by the operation of shaft 48 only when the rearwardly extending portion 18 of the bolt portion 12 is in the rear position. In this position, the portion 18 prevents the movement of the dog 16 into an operative posture. Therefore, the dogging 16 would be operable to dead latch the bolt 12 only through the operation of the locking shaft 50.

It will further be noted that, since the thickness of various doors may vary considerably, it is important that the axial distance between the plate 62 and the retracting plate 40 may be adjustable. The spring bias feature of the insert is effective in permitting the base member 22 to be spring biased into a position, immediately adjacent the plate 62 with the detent 78 operatively engaged over the radially extending lug 74 of the locking shaft 50, while the outermost surface 84 of the encasing member 26 presenting the dogging portion 16 is properly, operatively positioned for engagement of the dogging portion 16 with the rearwardly extending portion 18 of the bolt mechanism 12. Therefore, the insert, according to present invention, may be incorporated within many existing locks mounted within doors having considerable variations in thickness, resulting in varying axial distances between the respective plates 62 and the retracting plates 40.

It will also be noted that the recesses 32 and 34, formed within the base portion 22 of the insert 10, to receive the lugs 28 and 30 of the intermediate portion 24 are, themselves, defined by larger radially extending lug members 86 and 88. These last mentioned radially extending lugs 86 and 88 cooperate within the encasing portion 26 in a manner which is best understood with reference to FIGS. 4 and 11.

Referring then to FIGS. 4 and 11, it can be seen that the base portion 22, with the intermediate portion 24 retained therein, is insertable within a recess 90 defined by the internal cylindrical wall 92 of the encasing member 26. An axially extending rib 94 may be formed to extend outwardly from the cylindrical wall 92 to present marginal edges 96 and 98.

In operation, axially extending portions 100 and 102 of the lugs 86, 88 engage with the axially extending edges 96 and 98, respectively, of the rib portion 94, to impart rotational torque to the encasing member 26 from the locking shaft 50 having the lug 74, thereof, engaged within detent 78.

Referring briefly to FIG. 11, it can be seen that sufficient space if provided between the axial extensions 96 and 100 and the extensions 98 and 102 to provide a desired degree of lost motion before the base member 22 imparts rotational torque to the encasing member 26.

Of course, bore holes 104 and 106 may be formed axially within the intermediate member 24 of the overall insert 10 for retaining the spring elements 38 and 36, respectively. Additionally, an annular lip 108 may be formed to extend radially from the rib 94 and to snappingly overlap a corresponding annular lip 110 (see FIG. 3), formed on a cylindrical surface 112 of the base portion 22.

The encasing member 26 may be formed of any suitable material such as molded plastic.

FIGS. 5 through 10, show various views of the exterior of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In order to install an insert, according to the present invention, the home owner need only to remove the threaded fastening members holding the two knob assemblies in operative relationship. Then the knobs may be arranged as shown in FIG. 3 and the insert 10 may be placed over the coaxial shafts 48 and 50 and moved axially toward the plate 62 until the detent 78 engages over the lug 74. Then, the knobs merely need be reassembled and the insert 10 will automatically adjust (due to the spring bias feature) so that the base portion 22 will forceably engage the plate 62 and the lug 74 while the surface 84 of the encasing member 26 will urge aganist the retracting plate 40 in order to properly place the dogging portion 16 for engagement with the portion 18 of the bolt 12.

It can be seen that an entry door lock insert has been herein provided which solves some of the problems confronting home owners and business owners today. The insert, according to the present invention, may be incorporated as an attachment in many existing entry door locks and is relatively inexpensive. The insert may be provided as an attachment to existing door locks and may be easily installed. Due to the large number of door locks being provided in homes, today, which locks are the type described herein, the insert according to the present invention is adaptable for use with a large number of existing locks. The operation of the insert is virtually foolproof in preventing a buglar or the like from moving a locked bolt from a latched to an unlatched position by inserting a fiat tool between the associated strike plate and the door edge. Due to the compact nature of the insert, only a minimum of internal space is required when the insert is properly incorporated within an existing door lock. Furthermore, the relatively uncomplicated construction of the insert makes the apparatus a particularly desirable item for sale in hardware stores.

Since the bolt is not depressable, after the dogging member has been positioned, the door must be locked with a key from the outside. This solves the traditional problem of locking oneself out.

lclaim 1. An insert for use in an entry door lock having, a retractable bolt spring biased outwardly to engage within a recess presented in a door frame, rotatable door knobs connected with a retracting plate extending rearwardly from the bolt, a first shaft extending between the door knobs for operating the retracting plate and a second shaft extending between the door knobs for actuating a mechanism operable to lock the knobs against rotation with the bolt still being retractable by applying an external axial force against the bolt in a direction away from the recess, said insert comprisa body member formed with axially extending aperture means for removably receiving said second shaft;

said body member presenting a dogging member extending generally perpendicular to and spaced radially from said second shaft; and

said dogging member being so arranged on said member and said second shaft being operable, upon rotation, to move said dogging member into a position behind a rear portion of said bolt when said second shaft is rotated to lock said knobs against rotation;

whereby the bolt is latched against axial movement in a direction away from the recess.

2. An insert according to claim 1 wherein said body member is formed with aperture means for receiving both the first and second shafts.

3. An insert according to claim 2 wherein said body comprises a base member, an intermediate member rotatably keyed to but axially movable within said base member; and an encasing member presenting said dogging member.

4. An insert according to claim 3 wherein said base member is formed with means for removably keying said base member to said second shaft.

5. An insert according to claim 4 wherein said base member and said intermediate member are spring biased mutually apart in the axial direction 6. A removable insert for latching the bolt, of an entry-type door lock, against axial movement after the lock has been locked, comprising:

a body presenting a dogging member extending generally perpendicular to and spaced radially from a locking shaft extending between two door knobs of the door lock;

said body including an encasing member of housing a shaft-engaging assembly; and

said assembly including means for keying said assembly to said locking shaft.

7. An insert according to claim 6 wherein:

said assembly includes a base member and an intermediate member; and

said base member presents said means for keying said assembly to said locking shaft.

8. An insert according to claim 7 wherein:

said intermediate member is axially slidable within said base member but rototably fixed with respect thereto.

9. An insert according to claim 8 wherein:

said base member is formed with axially extending grooves for receiving lugs formed on said intermediate member; and

said last-mentioned grooves and lugs are to guide said intermediate member as it is moved axially with respect to said member.

10. An insert according to claim 9 wherein:

said base member and said intermediate member are spring biased mutually apart in the axial direction.

llfAn insert according to claim 10 wherein:

said base member is formed with outwardly, radially extending lugs and said encasing member is formed with generally corresponding, radially, inwardly extending lugs;

. said outwardly extending lugs and said inwardly extending lugs being angularly spaced to permit said assembly a limited degree of free rotational movement before said inwardly extending lugs engage outwardly extending lugs to rotatingly drive said lips engage to prevent additional axial movement of said base member.

13. An insert according to claim 12 wherein:

said base member is spring biased so that said outwardly extending lip formed thereon is normally force into engagement with said inwardly exten ing lip formed on said encasing member. 14. An insert according to claim 13 wherein:

said overall insert generally comprises a cylindrical member having variable axial length.

15. An insert according to claim 13 wherein:

said encasing member comprises a generally cylindrical plastic member having a planar wall extending over one axial end;

said planar wall being formed with an axially extending parallel to and spaced from the plane containing said planar axial wall. 

1. An insert for use in an entry door lock having, a retractable bolt spring biased outwardly to engage within a recess presented in a door frame, rotatable door knobs connected with a retracting plate extending rearwardly from the bolt, a first shaft extending between the door knobs for operating the retracting plate and a second shaft extending between the door knobs for actuating a mechanism operable to lock the knobs against rotation with the bolt still being retractable by applying an external axial force against the bolt in a direction away from the recess, said insert comprising: a body member formed with axially extending aperture means for removably receiving said second shaft; said body member presenting a dogging member extending generally perpendicular to and spaced radially from said second shaft; and said dogging member being so arranged on said member and said second shaft being operable, upon rotation, to move said dogging member into a position behind a rear portion of said bolt when said second shaft is rotated to lock said knobs against rotation; whereby the bolt is latched against axial movement in a direction away from the recess.
 2. An insert according to claim 1 wherein said body member is formed with aperture means for receiving both the first and second shafts.
 3. An insert according to claim 2 wherein said body comprises a base member, an intermediate member rotatably keyed to but axially movable within said base member; and an encasing member presenting said dogging member.
 4. An insert according to claim 3 wherein said base member is formed with means for removably keying said base member to said second shaft.
 5. An insert according to claim 4 wherein said base member and said intermediate member are spring biased mutually apart in the axial direction.
 6. A removable insert for latching the bolt, of an entry-type door lock, against axial movement after the lock has been locked, comprising: a body presenting a dogging member extending generally perpendicular to and spaced radially from a locking shaft extending between two door knobs of the door lock; said body including an encasing member of housing a shaft-engaging assembly; and said assembly including means for keying said assembly to said locking shaft.
 7. An insert according to claim 6 wherein: said assembly includes a base member and an intermediate member; and said base member presents said means for keying said assembly to said locking shaft.
 8. An insert according to claim 7 wherein: said intermediate member is axially slidable within said base member but rototably fixed with respect thereto.
 9. An insert according to claim 8 wherein: said base member is formed with axially extending grooves for receiving lugs formed on said intermediate member; and said last-mentioned grooves and lugs are to guide said intermediate member as it is moved axially with respect to said member.
 10. An insert according to claim 9 wherein: said base member and said intermediate member are spring biased mutually apart in the axial direction.
 11. An insert according to claim 10 wherein: said base member is formed with outwardly, radially extending lugs and said encasing member is formed with generally corresponding, radially, inwardly extending lugs; said outwardly extending lugs and said inwardly extending lugs being angularly spaced to permit said assembly a limited degree of free rotational movement before said inwardly extending lugs engage outwardly extending lugs to rotatingly drive said encasing member.
 12. An insert to claim 11 wherein: said encasing member is formed with an inwardly extending annular lip and said base member is formed with an outwardly extending annular lip; said last-mentioned inwardly extending lip being yiedable to be forcibly snapped over said outwardly extending lip and being positioned with respect thereto so that said base member is permitted a limited defree of free axial movement before said inwardly and said outwardly extending lips engage to prevent additional axial movement of said base member.
 13. An insert according to claim 12 wherein: said base member is spring biased so that said outwardly extending lip formed thereon is normally force into engagement with said inwardly extending lip formed on said encasing member.
 14. An insert according to claim 13 wherein: said overall insert generally comprises a cylindrical member having variable axial length.
 15. An insert according to claim 13 wherein: said encasing member comprises a generally cylindrical plastic member having a planar wall extending over one axial end; said planar wall being formed with an axially extending parallel to and spaced from the plane containing said planar axial wall. 